Substituted 5-oxo-5, 6, 7, 8-tetrahydro-4h-1-benzopyrans

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method for treating a disorder responsive to the positive modulation of AMPA receptors in animals suffering therefrom, comprising administering to an animal in need thereof a compound of Formula I:  
                 
 
     or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, wherein:  
     Y is NH 2 , NHR, and NHCOR; Z is 0 and S; and R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and X are defined herein. These compounds can be used as cognitive enhancers, for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer&#39;s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington&#39;s disease, Parkinson&#39;s disease, AIDS associated dementia and Down&#39;s syndrome as well as for the treatment of schizophrenia and myoclonus. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions useful for treating disorders responsive to the positive modulation of AMPA receptors, and novel compounds of Formula I.

[0001] This application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/137,501, filed Jun. 4, 1999, the contents of which are entirely incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention is in the field of medicinal chemistry. In particular, the invention relates to the use of substituted 5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyrans as positive modulators of AMPA receptors, and for the treatment of neurodegenerative conditions, for the treatment of schizophrenia, and as cognitive enhancers.

[0004] 2. Related Background Art

[0005] Excitatory amino acid receptors are classified into two general types. Receptors that are directly coupled to the opening of cation channels in the cell membrane of the neurons are termed “ionotropic.” This type of receptor has been subdivided into at least three subtypes, which are defined by the depolarizing actions of the selective agonist N-methyl-aspartate (NMDA), α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyoisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA), and kainic acid (KA). The second general type is the G-protein or second messenger-linked “metabotropic” excitatory amino acid receptor. This second type, when activated by the agonists quisqualate, ibotenate, or trans-1-aminocyclopentane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, leads to enhanced phosphoinositide hydrolysis in the postsynaptic cell. Both types of receptors appear not only to mediate normal synaptic connections during development, but also changes in the efficiency of synaptic transmission throughout life. See Schoepp, Bockaert, and Sladeczek, Trends Pharm. Sci. 11: 508 (1990); McDonald and Johnson, Brain Res. Rev. 15: 41 (1990).

[0006] There is much evidence suggesting that the interaction of glutamate with membrane receptors plays a key role on many critical neurological functions such as cognition, learning and memory. Cognitive deficits likely arising from hypoactivity of glutamate receptors are known to be associate with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. Hypoactivity of glutamate receptors also might be associated with schizophrenia. One therapeutic approach is the direct stimulation of glutamate receptors with agonists. However, this approach increases the risk of excitotoxicity and may lead to further neurodegeneration. Selective positive modulation of certain glutamate receptor subtypes would be a better approach. Therefore positive modulators of AMPA receptors are expected to be useful for the treatment or amelioration of a number of chronic neurologic disorders such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease and malnutrition, as well as neural maldevelopment (Thomas, R. J., J. Am. Geriatr. Soc. 43:1279-1289 (1995)). It has been shown that the AMPA receptor positive modulator BDP 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylcarbonyl)piperidine and its derivatives enhance memory in rat (Staubli et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 91:777-778 (1994)). The AMPA-positive modulator BDP-29 also has been shown to attenuate the amount of stereotypic rearings seen in rats after methamphetamine injection, suggesting that AMPA receptor modulators might be useful for the treatment of schizophrenia (Larson et al., Brain Res. 738:353-356 (1996)). Furthermore, piracetam, a well-known nootropic agent, which is used to treat cognitive impairment in the elderly, was found to be a positive modulator of AMPA receptors (Copani et al., J. Neurochem. 58:1199-1204 (1992)). A recent clinical study showed that piracetam was effective in treating patients with myoclonus, especially that of cortical origin (Ikeda et al., Movement Disorders 11:691-700 (1996)). Thus, AMPA receptor positive modulators are expected to be useful in treating myoclonus.

[0007] Desai et al. (Neuropharmacology 34:141-147 (1995)) reported that the memory-enhancing agent 1-BCP selectively potentiates AMPA-induced [³H]norepinephrine release in rat hippocampal slices.

[0008] Zivkovic et. al. (J. Pharmacol. Exp. Therap, 272:300-309 (1995)) reported that the cognitive enhancer IDRA 21 attenuates AMPA receptor desensitization.

[0009] Yamada et. al (Brit. J. Pharmacol, 117:1663-1672 (1996)) reported that cyclothiazide blocks AMPA receptor desensitization and potentiates AMPA receptor gated currents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The invention relates to the discovery that the compounds represented by Formula I are positive modulators of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyoisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors. A first aspect of the invention is directed to method for treating a disorder responsive to the positive modulation of AMPA receptors in animals suffering therefrom, comprising administering to an animal in need thereof a compound of Formula I:

[0011] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, wherein:

[0012] R₁ and R₂ are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, fused aryl, a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, a heteroaryl group, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl or thioalkyl; or R₁ and R₂ are taken together to form a carbocycle or heterocycle;

[0013] R₃ is hydrogen, or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl;

[0014] R₄ is substituted or unsubstituted aryl or heteroaryl, carbocycle or heterocycle;

[0015] X is hydrogen, NO₂, CN, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, COR, CO₂R and CONR_(x)R_(y),

[0016] wherein R, R_(x) and R_(y) are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, fused aryl, carbocyclic, a heterocyclic group, a heteroaryl group, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, carbocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl or aminoalkyl; or R_(x) and R_(y) are taken together to form a heterocycle;

[0017] Y is NH₂, NHR, and NHCOR; and

[0018] Z is O and S.

[0019] These compounds can be used as cognitive enhancers, for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, AIDS associated dementia and Down's syndrome as well as for the treatment of schizophrenia and myoclonus. A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for treating, preventing or ameliorating neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, AIDS associated dementia and Down's syndrome as well as for the treatment of schizophrenia and myoclonus by administering a compound of Formula I to a mammal in need of such treatment.

[0020] A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a pharmaceutical composition useful for treating disorders responsive to the positive modulation of AMPA receptors, comprising an effective amount of a compound of Formula I in a mixture with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers or diluents.

[0021] A number of compounds useful in the present invention have not been heretofor reported. Thus, the present invention is also directed to novel substituted 5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyrans of Formula I. Further, the present invention is directed to ³H and ¹⁴C radiolabeled compounds of Formula I and their use as radioligands for their binding site on the sodium channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0022]FIG. 1 depicts a graph showing the concentration-effect relationship for the potentiation of AMPA-evoked currents in Xenopus oocytes by the compound of Example 4. Xenopus oocytes were injected with rat cortical poly (A+) RNA and membrane currents were measured by a standard, two-microelectrode voltage clamp method. A solution of AMPA (10 μM) was superfused through the recording chamber in the absence (control) or presence of increasing concentrations of the compound of Example 4. “I” is membrane current.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The substituted 5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyrans and benzothiopyrans are represented by Formula I. Generally, preferred structures of the substituted 5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyrans are those compounds where R₁ and R₂ are each hydrogen or are each methyl, preferably methyl. More preferred compounds are those where R₃ is hydrogen and R₄ is optionally substitued aryl. Even more preferred are compounds above where X is CN, Y is NH₂ and Z is O. Preferred structures of the substituted 5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyrans of and useful in the present invention are represented by Formulae II-VI. Thus, preferred embodiments are represented by Formula II:

[0024] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof;

Formula III

[0025]

[0026] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof;

Formula IV

[0027]

[0028] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof;

Formula V

[0029]

[0030] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof;

Formula VI

[0031]

[0032] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof;

[0033] wherein R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ are as defined previously with respect to Formula I;

[0034] R₅-R₉ are independently hydrogen, halo, haloalkyl, aryl, fused aryl, a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, a heteroaryl group, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, carbocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, nitro, amino, cyano, acylamido, hydroxy, thiol, acyloxy, azido, alkoxy, carboxy, carbonylamido or alkylthiol; or

[0035] R₅ and R₆, or R₆ and R₇ are taken together to form a carbocycle or heterocycle, including —OCH₂O—, —OCF₂O—, —(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—, —OCH₂CH₂O—, —CH₂N(R)CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂N(R)CH₂—, —CH₂N(R)CH₂CH₂—, —CH═CH—CH═CH— and —N═CH—CH═N—.

[0036] With respect to the formulae above:

[0037] Optional substituents on the aryl, aralkyl, aryloxy, arylthioxy, aroyl, heterocyclic, heterocycloxy, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, cycloalkyl, and cycloalkoxy groups listed above can include one or more of halo, haloalkyl, aryl, fused aryl, heterocyclic, heteroaryl, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, carbocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, nitro, amino, cyano, acylamino, hydroxy, thiol, acyloxy, azido, alkoxy, carboxy, carbonylamido, and alkylthiol groups mentioned above.

[0038] Preferred optional substituents on optionally substituted groups include one or more groups independently selected from the group consisting of halo, halo(C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl, pyrimidine, cycloalkyl, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, aryl(C₁₋₆)alkyl, aryl(C₂₋₆)alkenyl, aryl(C₂₋₆)alkynyl, cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy(C₁₋₆)alkyl, amino(C₁₋₆)alkyl, carboxy(C₁₋₆)alkyl, alkoxy(C₁₋₆)alkyl, nitro, amino, ureido, cyano, C₁₋₆ acylamino, hydroxy, thiol, C₁₋₆ acyloxy, azido, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, carboxy, aminocarbonyl, carbamoyloxy, C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonylamino, C₁₋₆ acyl, and C₁₋₆ alkylthiol groups mentioned above as long as the resulting compound is stable. More preferred optional substituents include: halo, halo(C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy(C₁₋₆)alkyl, amino(C₁₋₆)alkyl, hydroxy, nitro, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ alkoxy, aminocarbonyl, carbamoyloxy, C₁₋₆ alkylsulfonylamino, C₁₋₆ acyl and amino.

[0039] Preferred compounds of, and for use in, the present invention include compounds where Z is O; particularly when X is CN and Y is NH₂.

[0040] Preferred values of R₁ and R₂ include hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl, C₁₋₆ aminoalkyl, or C₁₋₆ thioalkyl, more preferable hydrogen or C₁₋₆ alkyl. Most preferably, R₁ and R₂ are both hydrogen or are both methyl.

[0041] Preferred values of R₄ are optionally substituted phenyl, naphthyl and pyridyl, more preferably optionally substituted phenyl. Suitable values of R₄ are 4-methoxyphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, phenyl, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 3-hydroxyphenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-dimethylaminophenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl, 3-methoxyphenyl, 4-nitrophenyl, 5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl, 3,4-difluoromethylenedioxyphenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2-naphthyl, and 3-chlorophenyl.

[0042] A preferred subgenus of, and useful in, the present invention includes compounds of Formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:

[0043] R₁ and R₂ are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl, C₁₋₆ aminoalkyl, C₁₋₆ thioalkyl C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₄₋₇ cycloalkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₁₋₆)alkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₂₋₆)alkenyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl (C₂₋₆)alkynyl, or C₄₋₇ cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆)alkyl; or R₁ and R₂ are taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached to form a C₃₋₇cycloalkyl or a 5 or 6 membered heterocycle having one or two of N, S, O or a combination thereof;

[0044] R₃ is hydrogen, or C₁₋₆ alkyl;

[0045] R₄ is an optionally substituted C₆₋₁₀ aryl, heteroaryl, carbocycle or heterocycle;

[0046] X is hydrogen, NO₂, CN, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, COR, CO₂R or CONR_(x)R_(y),

[0047] wherein R, R_(x) and R_(y) are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, fused aryl, a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, a heteroaryl group, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, carbocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl or aminoalkyl; or R_(x) and R_(y) are taken together to form a heterocycle;

[0048] Y is NH₂, NHR, or NHCOR, where R is as defined above; and

[0049] Z is O or S.

[0050] Exemplary preferred compounds that may be employed in the compositions and methods of invention include, without limitation:

[0051] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0052] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0053] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0054] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0055] 2-amino-3-cyano-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0056] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0057] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0058] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0059] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0060] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0061] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0062] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0063] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-pyridyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0064] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0065] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3,4-difluoromethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0066] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-cyanophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0067] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0068] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(2-naphthyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran; and

[0069] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3-chlorophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran;

[0070] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.

[0071] Novel compounds of the present invention include compounds of Formula IV:

[0072] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, wherein:

[0073] R₁ and R₂ are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl, C₁₋₆ amninoalkyl, C₁₋₆ thioalkyl C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₄₋₇ cycloalkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₁₋₆)alkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₂₋₆)alkenyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₂₋₆)alkynyl, or C₄₋₇ cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆)alkyl; or R₁ and R₂ are taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached to form a C₃₋₇cycloalkyl or a 5 or 6 membered heterocycle having one or two of N, S, O or a combination thereof;

[0074] R₃ is hydrogen, or C₁₋₆ alkyl; and

[0075] R₅-R₉ are independently hydrogen, halo, haloalkyl, aryl, fused aryl, a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, a heteroaryl group, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, carbocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, nitro, amino, cyano, acylamido, hydroxy, thiol, acyloxy, azido, alkoxy, carboxy, carbonylamido or alkylthiol;

[0076] Preferably, R₅ and R₆ are taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, or R₆ and R₇ are taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a carbocycle or heterocycle.

[0077] Preferably, R₅ and R₆ taken together are with the carbon atoms to which they are attached to form one of —OCH₂O—, —OCF₂O—, —(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—, —OCH₂CH₂O—, —CH₂N(R)CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂N(R)CH₂—, —CH₂N(R)CH₂CH₂—, —N(Me)—C(O)—O—, —CH═CH—CH═CH—, or —N═CH—CH═N—, where R is defined above.

[0078] Alternatively, R₆ and R₇ taken together are with the carbon atoms to which they are attached to form one of —OCH₂O—, —OCF₂O—, —(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—, —OCH₂CH₂O—, —CH₂N(R)CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂N(R)CH₂—, —CH₂N(R)CH₂CH₂—, —N(Me)—C(O)—O—, —CH═CH—CH═CH—, or —N═CH—CH═N—, where R is defined above.

[0079] Novel compounds of the present invention include:

[0080] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran;

[0081] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran;

[0082] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran;

[0083] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran;

[0084] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran;

[0085] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-pyridyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran;

[0086] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; and

[0087] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3,4-difluoromethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran;

[0088] 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-cyanophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran;

[0089] and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.

[0090] With respect to the present invention, the following definitions apply, unless otherwise explicitly provided for.

[0091] Useful aryl groups are C₆₋₁₄ aryl, especially C₆₋₁₀ aryl. Typical C₆₋₁₄ aryl groups include phenyl, naphthyl, phenanthryl, anthracyl, indenyl, azulenyl, biphenyl, biphenylenyl and fluorenyl groups.

[0092] Useful cycloalkyl groups are C₃₋₉ cycloalkyl. Typical cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl.

[0093] The term “heteroaryl” as employed herein refers to groups having 5 to 14 ring atoms; 6, 10 or 14 , electrons shared in a cyclic array; and containing carbon atoms and 1, 2 or 3 oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur heteroatoms (where examples of heteroaryl groups are: thienyl, benzo[b]thienyl, naphtho[2,3-b]thienyl, thianthrenyl, furyl, benzofuryl, pyranyl, isobenzofuranyl, benzoxazonyl, chromenyl, xanthenyl, phenoxathiinyl, 2H-pyrrolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, indolizinyl, isoindolyl, 3H-indolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, purinyl, 4H-quinolizinyl, isoquinolyl, quinolyl, phthalazinyl, naphthyridinyl, quinazolinyl, cinnolinyl, pteridinyl, 4aH-carbazolyl, carbazolyl, β-carbolinyl, phenanthridinyl, acridinyl, perimidinyl, phenanthrolinyl, phenazinyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, phenothiazinyl, isoxazolyl, furazanyl, and phenoxazinyl groups). Suitable heteroaryl groups include pyridyl, furanyl and thienyl.

[0094] Useful halo or halogen groups include fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.

[0095] Useful alkyl groups include straight-chained and branched C₁₋₁₀ alkyl groups, more preferably C₁₋₆ alkyl groups. Typical C₁₋₁₀ alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, 3-pentyl, hexyl and octyl groups. Also contemplated is a trimethylene group substituted on two adjoining positions on the benzene ring of the compounds of the invention.

[0096] Useful alkenyl groups are C₂₋₆ alkenyl groups, preferably C₂₋₄ alkenyl. Typical C₂₋₄ alkenyl groups include ethenyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, butenyl, and sec-butenyl.

[0097] Useful alkynyl groups are C₂₋₆ alkynyl groups, preferably C₂₋₄ alkynyl. Typical C₂₋₄ alkynyl groups include ethynyl, propynyl, butynyl, and 2-butynyl groups.

[0098] Useful arylalkyl (or aralkyl) groups include any of the above-mentioned C₁₋₁₀ alkyl groups substituted by any of the above-mentioned C₆₋₁₄ aryl groups. Useful values include benzyl, phenethyl and naphthylmethyl.

[0099] Useful arylalkenyl groups include any of the above-mentioned C₂₋₄ alkenyl groups substituted by any of the above-mentioned C₆₋₁₄ aryl groups.

[0100] Useful arylalkynyl groups include any of the above-mentioned C₂₋₄ alkynyl groups substituted by any of the above-mentioned C₆₋₁₄ aryl groups. Useful values include phenylethynyl and phenylpropynyl.

[0101] Useful heteroarylalkyl groups include any of the above-mentioned C₁₋₁₀ alkyl groups substituted by any of the above-mentioned heteroaryl groups.

[0102] Useful heteroarylalkenyl groups include any of the above-mentioned C₂₋₄ alkenyl groups substituted by any of the above-mentioned heteroaryl groups.

[0103] Useful heteroarylalkynyl groups include any of the above-mentioned C₂₋₄ alkynyl groups substituted by any of the above-mentioned heteroaryl groups.

[0104] Useful cycloalkylalkyl groups include any of the above-mentioned C₁₋₁₀ alkyl groups substituted by any of the above-mentioned cycloalkyl groups.

[0105] Useful haloalkyl groups include C₁₋₁₀ alkyl groups substituted by one or more fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine atoms, e.g. fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, pentafluoroethyl, 1,1-difluoroethyl and trichloromethyl groups.

[0106] Useful hydroxyalkyl groups include C₁₋₁₀ alkyl groups substituted by hydroxy, e.g. hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl and hydroxybutyl groups.

[0107] Useful alkoxy groups include oxygen substituted by one of the C₁₋₁₀ alkyl groups mentioned above.

[0108] Useful alkylthio groups include sulfur substituted by one of the C₁₋₁₀ alkyl groups mentioned above.

[0109] Useful acylamino groups are any C₁₋₆ acyl (alkanoyl) attached to an amino nitrogen, e.g. acetamido, propionamido, butanoylamido, pentanoylamido, hexanoylamido as well as aryl-substituted C₂₋₆ substituted acyl groups.

[0110] Useful acyloxy groups are any C₁₋₆ acyl (alkanoyl) attached to an oxy (—O—) group, e.g. acetoxy, propionoyloxy, butanoyloxy, pentanoyloxy, hexanoyloxy and the like.

[0111] The term heterocycle is used herein to mean saturated or partially unsaturated 3-7 membered monocyclic, or 7-10 membered bicyclic ring system, which consists of carbon atoms and from one to four heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S, wherein the nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms can be optionally oxidized, the nitrogen can be optionally quaternized, and including any bicyclic group in which any of the above-defined heterocyclic rings is fused to a benzene ring, and wherein the heterocyclic ring can be substituted on carbon or on a nitrogen atom if the resulting compound is stable. Examples include, but are not limited to, pyrrolidine, piperazine, morpholine, imidazoline, pyrazolidine, benzodiazepines and the like.

[0112] Useful heterocycloalkyl groups include any of the above-mentioned C₁₋₁₀ alkyl groups substituted by any of the above-mentioned heterocyclic groups.

[0113] Useful alkylamino and dialkylamino groups are —NHR₂₀ and —NR₂₀R₂₁, wherein R₂₀ and R₂₁ are C₁₋₁₀ alkyl groups.

[0114] Aminocarbonyl group is —C(O)NH₂.

[0115] Useful alkylaminocarbonyl groups are carbonyl groups substituted by —NHR₂₀ and —NR₂₀R₂₁, wherein R₂₀ and R₂₁ are C₁₋₁₀ alkyl groups as defined above.

[0116] Useful alkylthiol groups include any of the above-mentioned C₁₋₁₀ alkyl groups substituted by a —SH group.

[0117] A carbamoyloxy group is —O—C(O)—NH₂.

[0118] A carboxy group is —COOH.

[0119] An azido group is —N₃.

[0120] An ureido group is —NH—C(O)—NH₂.

[0121] An amino group is —NH₂.

[0122] An amide group is an organic radical having —NHC(O)— as a functional group.

[0123] Certain of the compounds of the present invention may exist as optical isomers and the invention includes both the racemic mixtures of such optical isomers as well as the individual entantiomers that may be separated according to methods that are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0124] Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts include inorganic and organic acid addition salts such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, phosphate, sulphate, citrate, lactate, tartrate, maleate, fumarate, mandelate and oxalate.

[0125] Examples of prodrugs include esters or amides of Formula I with R₃ as hydroxyalkyl or aminoalkyl, by reacting such compounds with an anhydride such as succinic anhydride.

[0126] The invention disclosed herein is meant to encompass all pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof of the disclosed compounds. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, metal salts such as sodium salt, potassium salt, cesium salt and the like; alkaline earth metals such as calcium salt, magnesium salt and the like; organic amine salts such as triethylamine salt, pyridine salt, picoline salt, ethanolamine salt, triethanolamine salt, dicyclohexylamine salt, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine salt and the like; inorganic acid salts such as hydrochloride, hydrobromide, sulfate, phosphate and the like; organic acid salts such as formate, acetate, trifluoroacetate, maleate, tartrate and the like; sulfonates such as methanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate, and the like; amino acid salts such as arginate, asparginate, glutamate and the like.

[0127] The invention disclosed herein is also meant to encompass prodrugs of the disclosed compounds. Prodrugs are considered to be any covalently bonded carriers which release the active parent drug in vivo. Examples of prodrugs include esters or amides of Formula I with R₁-R₉ as hydroxyalkyl or aminoalkyl, and these may be prepared by reacting such compounds with anhydrides such as succinic anhydride.

[0128] The invention disclosed herein is also meant to encompass the in vivo metabolic products of the disclosed compounds. Such products may result for example from the oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, amidation, esterification and the like of the administered compound, primarily due to enzymatic processes. Accordingly, the invention includes compounds produced by a process comprising contacting a compound of this invention with a mammal for a period of time sufficient to yield a metabolic product thereof. Such products typically are identified by preparing a radiolabelled compound of the invention, administering it parenterally in a detectable dose to an animal such as rat, mouse, guinea pig, monkey, or to man, allowing sufficient time for metabolism to occur and isolating its conversion products from the urine, blood or other biological samples.

[0129] The invention disclosed herein is also meant to encompass the disclosed compounds being isotopically-labelled by having one or more atoms replaced by an atom having a different atomic mass or mass number. Examples of isotopes that can be incorporated into the disclosed compounds include isotopes of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, fluorine and chlorine, such as ²H, ³H, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁸O, ¹⁷O, ³¹P, ³²P, ³⁵S, ¹⁸F, and ³⁶Cl, respectively.

[0130] Some of the compounds disclosed herein may contain one or more asymmetric centers and may thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, and other stereoisomeric forms. The present invention is also meant to encompass racemic mixtures, resolved forms mixtures thereof, as well as the individual enantiomers that may be separated according to methods that are well know to those of ordinary skill in the art. When the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds or other centers of geometric asymmetry, and unless specified otherwise, it is intended to include both E and Z geometric isomers. All tautomers are intended to be encompassed by the present invention as well.

[0131] As used herein, the term “stereoisomers” is a general term for all isomers of individual molecules that differ only in the orientation of their atoms in space. It includes enantiomers and isomers of compounds with more than one chiral center that are not mirror images of one another (diastereomers).

[0132] The term “chiral center” refers to a carbon atom to which four different groups are attached.

[0133] The term “enantiomer” or “enantiomeric” refers to a molecule that is nonsuperimposeable on its mirror image and hence optically active wherein the enantiomer rotates the plane of polarized light in one direction and its mirror image rotates the plane of polarized light in the opposite direction.

[0134] The term “racemic” refers to a mixture of equal parts of enantiomers and which is optically inactive.

[0135] The term “resolution” refers to the separation or concentration or depletion of one of the two enantiomeric forms of a molecule. The phrase “enantiomeric excess” refers to a mixture wherein one enantiomer is present is a greater concentration than its mirror image molecule.

[0136] The invention is also directed to ³H and ¹⁴C radiolabeled compounds of Formula I and their use as radioligands for their binding site on the sodium channel. For example, one use of the labeled compounds of the invention is the characterization of specific receptor binding. Another use of the labeled compounds of the invention is an alternative to animal testing for the evaluation of structure-activity relationships. The receptor assay is performed at a fixed concentration of a labeled compound of Formula I and at increasing concentrations of a test compound in a competition assay.

[0137] Tritiated compounds of Formula I can be prepared by introducing tritium into the compound of Formula I by, for example, catalytic dehalogenation with tritium. This method includes reacting a suitably halogen-substituted precursor of a compound of Formula I with tritium gas in the presence of a suitable catalyst, for example Pd/C, in the presence or absence of a base. Other suitable methods for preparing tritiated compounds can be found in Filer, Isotopes in the Physical and Biomedical Sciences, Vol. 1, Labeled Compounds (Part A), Chapter 6. ¹⁴C-labeled compounds can be prepared by employing starting materials having a ¹⁴C carbon.

[0138] Also included within the scope of the present invention are the non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the present invention. Acid addition salts are formed by mixing a solution of the particular heteroaryl compound of the present invention with a solution of a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acid such as hydrochloric acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, carbonic acid, phosphoric acid, oxalic acid, dichloroacetic acid, and the like. Basic salts are formed by mixing a solution of the heteroaryl compound of the present invention with a solution of a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic base such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, choline hydroxide, sodium carbonate and the like.

[0139] The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be administered to any animal that may experience the beneficial effects of the compounds of the invention. Foremost among such animals are mammals, e.g., humans, although the invention is not intended to be so limited.

[0140] The compounds of this invention may be prepared using methods well known to those skilled in the art, such as those described by Abdel-Latif et al. (J. Chem. Res. Miniprint, 5, 1220-1228 (1995)) or by the novel methods of this invention. Exemplary reactions are illustrated in Equations 1-4. The starting materials employed in Equations 1-4 are readily available or can be prepared by known methods.

[0141] The novel compounds of the invention were assessed by electrophysiological assays in Xenopus oocytes expressing rat whole brain poly(A)⁺ RNA (see Keana et al, J. Med. Chem. 38: 4367-4379 (1995)) or in cultured rat cortical neurons (see Woodward et al., Mol. Pharmacol. 47: 568-581 (1995)) for AMPA receptor activity. The compounds that potentiate currents across the oocyte membrane are expected to be useful as cognitive enhancers or for the treatment of schizophrenia, myoclonus or neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Thus, the present invention is directed to compounds that are positive modulators of AMPA receptors.

[0142] Compositions within the scope of this invention include all compositions wherein the compounds of the present invention are contained in an amount which is effective to achieve its intended purpose. While individual needs vary, determination of optimal ranges of effective amounts of each component is with the skill of the art. Typically, the compounds may be administered to mammals, e.g. humans, orally at a dose of 0.0025 to 50 mg/kg, or an equivalent amount of the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, per day of the body weight of the mammal being treated for psychosis disorders. Preferably, about 0.01 to about 10 mg/kg is orally administered to treat or prevent such disorders. For intramuscular injection, the dose is generally about one-half of the oral dose.

[0143] For the treatment of AIDS associated neuronal damage, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease and Down's Syndrome, the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may comprise the compounds of the present invention at a unit dose level of about 0.01 to about 50 mg/kg of body weight, or an equivalent amount of the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, on a regimen of 1-4 times per day. Of course, it is understood that the exact treatment level will depend upon the case history of the animal, e.g., human being, that is treated. The precise treatment level can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation.

[0144] The unit oral dose may comprise from about 0.01 to about 50 mg, preferably about 0.1 to about 10 mg of the compound. The unit dose may be administered one or more times daily as one or more tablets each containing from about 0.1 to about 10, conveniently about 0.25 to 50 mg of the compound or its solvates.

[0145] In addition to administering the compound as a raw chemical, the compounds of the invention may be administered as part of a pharmaceutical preparation containing suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries which facilitate processing of the compounds into preparations which can be used pharmaceutically. Preferably, the preparations, particularly those preparations which can be administered orally and which can be used for the preferred type of administration, such as tablets, dragees, and capsules, and also preparations which can be administered rectally, such as suppositories, as well as suitable solutions for administration by injection or orally, contain from about 0.01 to 99 percent, preferably from about 0.25 to 75 percent of active compound(s), together with the excipient.

[0146] Also included within the scope of the present invention are the non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the present invention. Acid addition salts are formed by mixing a solution of the particular AMPA positive modulator of the present invention with a solution of a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic acid such as hydrochloric acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, carbonic acid, phosphoric acid, oxalic acid, and the like. Basic salts are formed by mixing a solution of the particular AMPA positive modulator of the present invention with a solution of a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic base such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, choline hydroxide, sodium carbonate and the like.

[0147] The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be administered to any animal which may experience the beneficial effects of the compounds of the invention. Foremost among such animals are mammals, e.g., humans, although the invention is not intended to be so limited.

[0148] The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention may be administered by any means that achieve their intended purpose. For example, administration may be by parenteral, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, transdermal, or buccal routes. Alternatively, or concurrently, administration may be by the oral route. The dosage administered will be dependent upon the age, health, and weight of the recipient, kind of concurrent treatment, if any, frequency of treatment, and the nature of the effect desired.

[0149] The pharmaceutical preparations of the present invention are manufactured in a manner which is itself known, for example, by means of conventional mixing, granulating, dragee-making, dissolving, or lyophilizing processes. Thus, pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained by combining the active compounds with solid excipients, optionally grinding the resulting mixture and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired or necessary, to obtain tablets or dragee cores.

[0150] Suitable excipients are, in particular, fillers such as saccharides, for example lactose or sucrose, mannitol or sorbitol, cellulose preparations and/or calcium phosphates, for example tricalcium phosphate or calcium hydrogen phosphate, as well as binders such as starch paste, using, for example, maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, gelatin, tragacanth, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and/or polyvinyl pyrrolidone. If desired, disintegrating agents may be added such as the above-mentioned starches and also carboxymethyl-starch, cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof, such as sodium alginate. Auxiliaries are, above all, flow-regulating agents and lubricants, for example, silica, talc, stearic acid or salts thereof, such as magnesium stearate or calcium stearate, and/or polyethylene glycol. Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings which, if desired, are resistant to gastric juices. For this purpose, concentrated saccharide solutions may be used, which may optionally contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures. In order to produce coatings resistant to gastric juices, solutions of suitable cellulose preparations such as acetylcellulose phthalate or hydroxypropymethyl-cellulose phthalate, are used. Dye stuffs or pigments may be added to the tablets or dragee coatings, for example, for identification or in order to characterize combinations of active compound doses.

[0151] Other pharmaceutical preparations which can be used orally include push-fit capsules made of gelatin, as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a plasticizer such as glycerol or sorbitol. The push-fit capsules can contain the active compounds in the form of granules which may be mixed with fillers such as lactose, binders such as starches, and/or lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate and, optionally, stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active compounds are preferably dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, or liquid paraffin. In addition, stabilizers may be added.

[0152] Possible pharmaceutical preparations which can be used rectally include, for example, suppositories, which consist of a combination of one or more of the active compounds with a suppository base. Suitable suppository bases are, for example, natural or synthetic triglycerides, or paraffin hydrocarbons. In addition, it is also possible to use gelatin rectal capsules which consist of a combination of the active compounds with a base. Possible base materials include, for example, liquid triglycerides, polyethylene glycols, or paraffin hydrocarbons.

[0153] Suitable formulations for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of the active compounds in water-soluble form, for example, water-soluble salts and alkaline solutions. In addition, suspensions of the active compounds as appropriate oily injection suspensions may be administered. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils, for example, sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, for example, ethyl oleate or triglycerides or polyethylene glycol-400 (the compounds are soluble in PEG-400). Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension include, for example, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, and/or dextran. Optionally, the suspension may also contain stabilizers.

[0154] The characterization of non-competitive AMPA receptors modulators in vitro has been difficult because of the lack of selective drug ligands. Thus, the AMPA ligands of the present invention may be used to characterize the AMPA receptors and their distribution. Particularly preferred AMPA positive modulator of the present invention which may be used for this purpose are isotopically radiolabelled derivatives, e.g. where one or more of the atoms are replaced with ³H, ¹¹C, ¹⁴C or ¹⁸F. Alternatively, a fluorescent group Y may be employed. Examples of such groups include 4-nitrobenzofurazan.

[0155] The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting, of the method and compositions of the present invention. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of the variety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in clinical therapy and which are obvious to those skilled in the art are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Example 1 2-Amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran

[0156] A stirred solution of p-anisaldehyde (1.74 mL, 14.3 mmol) and malononitrile (0.90 mL, 14.28 mmol) in 75 mL of 95% EtOH at RT was treated with a few drops of piperidine and after about 5 min, a yellow precipitate was formed and the mixture was stirred for another 10 min after which 5,5-dimethylcyclohexan-1,3-dione (2.00 g, 14.3 mmol) was added as a solid in one portion. The stirred suspension became a solution after about 5 min. After about 2 h a white precipitate was formed and TLC analysis showed complete reaction. The precipitate was filtered and washed with cold 95% EtOH then dried under vacuum, resulting in 3.71 g (81%) of the title compound as a white solid, mp 197-200° C. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 7.04 (d, 2H), 6.96 (bs, 2H), 6.83 (d, 2H), 4.11 (s, 1H₁), 3.71 (s, 3H), 2.49 (m, 2H), 2.15 (m, 2H), 1.03 (s, 3H), 0.94 (s, 3H).

Examples 2-18

[0157] 2. 2-Amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benopyran: The title compound was synthesized (4.1 g, 85%) as a white solid from 2,4,6-trimethylbenzaldehyde (14.3 mmol) using the same procedure described in Example 1. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 6.90 (bs, 2H), 6.79 (s, 1H), 6.70 (s, 1H), 4.73 (s, 1H), 2.45 (m, 4H), 2.15 (s, 6H), 2.09 (s, 3H), 1.01 (s, 3H), 0.99 (s, 3H).

[0158] 3. 2-Amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran: The title compound was synthesized (770 mg, 73%) as an off-white solid from benzaldehyde (3.57 mmol) using the same procedure described in Example 1, mp 228-233° C. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 7.28 (m, 2H), 7.15 (m, 3H), 7.01 (bs, 2H), 4.17 (s, 1H), 2.52 (m, 2H), 2.17 (m, 2H), 1.04 (s, 3H), 0.95 (s, 3H).

[0159] 4. 2-Amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran: The title compound was synthesized (828 mg, 69%) as a light yellow solid from piperonal (3.57 mmol) using the same procedure described in Example 1, mp 209-212° C. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 6.98 (bs, 2H), 6.81 (d, 1H), 6.65 (d, 1H), 6.61 (dd, 1H), 5.97 (s, 2H), 4.11 (s, 1H), 2.50 (s, 2H), 2.18 (m, 2H), 1.03 (s, 3H), 0.96 (s, 3H).

[0160] 5. 2-Amino-3-cyano-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran: The title compound was synthesized (550 mg, 69%) as an off-white solid from p-anisaldehyde (2.68 mmol) and 1,3-cyclohexanedione (2.68 mmol) in place of 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione using the same procedure described in Example 1, mp 209-212° C. ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 7.06 (d, 2H), 6.96 (bs, 2H), 6.83 (d, 2H), 4.13 (s, 1H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 2.60 (m, 2H), 2.25 (m, 2H), 1.90 (m, 2H).

[0161] 6. 2-Amino-3-cyano-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-7,7-dimethyl-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran: The title compound was synthesized (1.057 g, 90%) as a white solid from 4-chlorobenzaldehyde (3.57 mmol) using the same procedure described in Example 1, mp 212-214° C., ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 7.35 (d, 2H), 7.16 (d, 2H), 7.07 (bs, 2H), 4.19 (s, 1H), 2.51 (m, 2H), 2.17 (m, 2H), 1.03 (s, 3H), 0.94 (s, 3H).

[0162] 7. 2-Amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran: The title compound was synthesized (750 mg, 68%) as a white solid from 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde (3.57 mmol) using the same procedure described in Example 1, mp 214-217° C., ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 9.31 (s, 1H), 7.05 (m, 1H), 6.97 (bs, 2H), 6.55 (s, 3H), 4.07 (s, 1H), 2.50 (m, 2H), 2.18 (m, 2H), 1.04 (s, 3H), 0.96 (s, 3H).

[0163] 8. 2-Amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran: The title compound was synthesized (982 mg, 89%) as a white solid from 4-methylbenzaldehyde (3.57 mmol) using the same procedure described in Example 1, mp 219-221° C., ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 7.08 (d, 2H), 7.01 (d, 2H), 6.96 (bs, 2H), 4.12 (s, 1H), 2.50 (m, 2H), 2.24 (s, 3H), 2.16 (m, 2H), 1.03 (s, 3H), 0.95 (s, 3H).

[0164] 9. 2-Amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran: The title compound was synthesized from 4-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (3.57 mmol) using the same procedure described in Example 1, with the addition of heating for 5 h after adding the dione, resulting in 1.026 g (85%) of the compound as a pale orange solid, mp 221-224° C., ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 6.93 (d, 2H), 6.88 (bs, 2H), 6.62 (d, 2H), 4.04 (s, 1H), 2.84 (s, 6H), 2.48 (m, 2H), 2.15 (m, 2H), 1.03 (s, 3H), 0.94 (s, 3H).

[0165] 10. 2-Amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran: The title compound was synthesized (870 mg, 79%) as a white solid from 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (3.57 mmol) using the same procedure described in Example 1, mp 207-210° C., ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 9.25 (d, 1H), 6.91 (m, 4H), 6.64 (m, 2H), 4.0 (s, 1H), 2.48 (m, 2H), 2.15 (m, 2H), 1.02 (s, 3H), 0.94 (s, 3H).

[0166] 11. 2-Amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran: The title compound was synthesized (840 mg, 73%) as a white solid from 3-methoxybenzaldehyde (3.57 mmol) using the same procedure described in Example 1, mp 198-201° C., ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 7.20 (t, 1H), 7.00 (bs, 2H), 6.73 (m, 2H), 6.65 (s, 1H), 4.14 (s, 1H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 2.52 (m, 2H), 2.18 (m, 2H), 1.04 (s, 3H), 0.96 (s, 3H).

[0167] 12. 2-Amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran: The title compound was synthesized (0.84 g, 90%) as a yellow solid from 4-nitrobenzaldehyde (3.57 mmol) using the same procedure described in Example 1, mp 177-180° C., ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 8.17 (d, 2H), 7.44 (d, 2H), 7.19 (bs, 2H), 4.36 (s, 1H), 2.54 (m, 2H), 2.18 (m, 2H), 1.04 (s, 3H), 0.96 (s, 3H).

[0168] 13. 2-Amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-pyridyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran: The title compound was synthesized (593 mg, 56%) as a white solid from pyridine-4-carboxaldehyde (3.57 mmol) using the same procedure described in Example 1, mp 222-224° C., ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 8.48 (d, 2H), 7.15 (bs, 4H), 4.20 (s, 1H), 2.53 (s, 2H), 2.19 (m, 2H), 1.04 (s, 3H), 0.97 (s, 3H).

[0169] 14. 2-Amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran: The title compound was synthesized (232 mg, 88%) as a yellow solid from 3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxybenzaldehyde (0.714 mmol) using the same procedure described in Example 1, mp 239-243° C., ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 6.98 (bs, 2H), 6.37 (s, 1H), 6.32 (s, 1H), 5.95 (s, 2H), 4.11 (s, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 2.51 (s, 2H), 2.19 (m, 2H), 1.03 (s, 3H), 0.98 (s, 3H).

[0170] 15. 2-Amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3,4-difluoromethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran: The title compound was synthesized (211 mg, 79%) as a white solid from 3,4-difluoromethylenedioxybenzaldehyde (0.714 mmol) using the same procedure described in Example 1, mp 214-217° C., ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 7.31 (d, 1H), 7.19 (s, 1H), 7.07 (bs, 2H), 6.99 (dd, 1H), 4.25 (s, 1H), 2.51 (m, 2H), 2.17 (m, 2H), 1.03 (s, 3H), 0.96 (s, 3H).

[0171] 16. 2-Amino-3-cyano-4-(4-cyanophenyl)-7,7-dimethyl-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran: The title compound was synthesized (192 mg, 84%) as a pale yellow solid from 4-cyanobenzaldehyde (0.714 mmol) using the same procedure described in Example 1, mp 227-230° C., ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 7.77 (d, 2H), 7.35 (d, 2H), 7.14 (bs, 2H), 4.29 (s, 1H), 2.53 (m, 2H), 2.18 (m, 2H), 1.04 (s, 3H), 0.95 (s, 3H).

[0172] 17. 2-Amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran: The title compound was synthesized (87 mg, 39%) as a white solid from 4-fluorobenzaldehyde (0.714 mmol) using the same procedure described in Example 1, mp 189-193° C., ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 7.14 (m, 4H), 7.03 (bs, 2H), 4.19 (s, 1H), 2.51 (m, 2H), 2.17 (m, 2H), 1.03 (s, 3H), 0.94 (s, 3H).

[0173] 18. 2-Amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(2-naphthyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran: The title compound was synthesized (219 mg, 89%) as a pale yellow solid from 2-naphthaldehyde (0.714 mmol) using the same procedure described in example 1, mp 259-262° C., ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): 7.87 (m, 3H), 7.67 (s, 1H), 7.48 (m, 2H), 7.29 (d, 1H), 7.06 (bs, 2H), 4.36 (s, 1H), 2.55 (s, 2H), 2.17 (m, 2H), 1.05 (s, 3H), 0.96 (s, 3H).

Example 19 Electrophysiology

[0174] Total RNA was prepared from rat cerebral cortex by homogenization in urea/LiCl followed by phenol/chloroform extraction. Polyadenylated (poly A⁺) mRNA was isolated from total cellular RNA by oligo-dT cellulose chromatography. Xenopus oocytes were prepared by the method of Woodward et al. (Mol. Pharmacol. 41, 89-103 (1992)). Oocytes were microinjected with approximately 50 ng of cortical poly(A)⁺ RNA and stored in Barth's medium (containing in mM: NaCl, 88; KCl, 1; CaCl₂, 0.41; Ca(NO₃)₂, 0.33; MgSO₄, 0.82; NaHCO₃, 2.4; HEPES 5; pH 7.4, with 0.1 mg/ml gentamycin sulphate) for 6 days prior to recording. Membrane current responses were recorded in frog Ringer solution containing (in mM): NaCl, 115; KCl, 2; CaCl₂, 1.8; HEPES, 5; pH 7.4, or in a nominally Ca²⁺-free Ringer solution containing (in mM): NaCl, 115; KCl, 2; BaCl₂, 1.8; HEPES, 5; pH 7.4. Electrical recordings were made using a conventional two-electrode voltage clamp (Dagan TEV-200). The oocyte was placed in a 5 ml chamber lined with nylon mesh, impaled with two micro-electrodes and voltage-clamped at a holding potential of −70 mV. A scaled up linear array system (Benveniste and Mayer, J. Physiol. 464, 131-163 (1993)) was used to superfuse the oocyte in Ringer solution and to apply drugs and wash solutions. A control concentration (10 μM) of AMPA was applied to the oocyte to determine a baseline membrane current response. The modulation of this response by AMPA potentiators was measured by applying increasing concentrations of the potentiator in Ringer solution for ˜30 s followed by coapplication of the potentiator with 10 μM AMPA. The resulting membrane current responses were analyzed by sigmoidal curve fitting (Origin, Microcal Software, Inc.).

[0175] The 5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyrans elicited potentiation of AMPA responses as exemplified by compound of Example 4 (FIG. 1). The maximal potentiation of the AMPA response was 11-fold at 100 μM, and was half-maximally effective at 16.6 μM. A 2-fold potentiation of the AMPA response was elicited at 4 μM for Example 4. The concentration of 5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyrans required for 2-fold potentiation is shown in Table 1. TABLE 1 Potentiation of AMPA Response by 5-Oxo-5,6,7,8- tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyrans AMPA positive potentiation Example # 2-fold @ μM 1 7.0 2 4.0 3 12.0 4 4.0 5 35.0 6 18.0 7 12.0 8 12.0 9 12.0 10 14.0 11 6.0 12 60.0 13 60.0 14 12.0 15 18.0 16 20.0 17 27.0 18 1.6

[0176] Having now fully described this invention, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the same can be performed within a wide and equivalent range of conditions, formulations and other parameters without affecting the scope of the invention or any embodiment thereof. All patents and publications cited herein are fully incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pharmaceutical composition for treating a disorder responsive to the positive modulation of AMPA receptors in an animal suffering thereof, comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent; and an amount effective to positively modulate AMPA receptors in said animal of a compound of Formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, wherein: R₁ and R₂ are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, fused aryl, a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, a heteroaryl group, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, carbocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, amninoalkyl or thioalkyl; or R₁ and R₂ are taken together to form a carbocycle or heterocycle; R₃ is hydrogen, or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl; R₄ is substituted or unsubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, carbocycle or heterocycle; X is hydrogen, NO₂, CN, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, COR, CO₂R or CONR_(x)R_(y), wherein R, R_(x) and R_(y) are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, fused aryl, a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, a heteroaryl group, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, carbocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl or aminoalkyl; or R_(x) and R_(y) are taken together to form a heterocycle; Y is NH₂, NHR, or NHCOR, where R is as defined above; and Z is O or S.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein said compound is a compound having Formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, wherein: R₁ and R₂ are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl, C₁₋₆ aminoalkyl, C₁₋₆ thioalkyl C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₄₋₇ cycloalkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₁₋₆)alkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₂₋₆)alkenyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₂₋₆)alkynyl, or C₄₋₇ cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆)alkyl; or R₁ and R₂ are taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached to form a C₃₋₇cycloalkyl or a 5 or 6 membered heterocycle having one or two of N, S, O or a combination thereof; R₃ is hydrogen, or C₁₋₆ alkyl; R₄ is an optionally substituted C₆₋₁₀ aryl, heteroaryl, carbocycle or heterocycle; X is hydrogen, NO₂, CN, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, COR, CO₂R or CONR_(x)R_(y), wherein R, R_(x) and R_(y) are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, fused aryl, a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, a heteroaryl group, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, carbocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl or aminoalkyl; or R_(x) and R_(y) are taken together to form a heterocycle; Y is NH₂, NHR, or NHCOR, where R is as defined above; and Z is O or S.
 3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein X is CN.
 4. The composition according to claim 2, wherein Z is O.
 5. The composition according to claim 2, wherein Y is NH₂.
 6. The composition according to claim 2, wherein X is CN, Y is NH₂, and Z is O.
 7. The composition according to claim 2, wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl, C₁₋₆ aminoalkyl, or C₁₋₆ thioalkyl.
 8. The composition according to claim 2, wherein R₄ is optionally substituted phenyl, naphthyl or pyridyl.
 9. The composition according to claim 2, wherein R₄ is optionally substituted phenyl.
 10. The composition according to claim 2, wherein R₄ is 4-methoxyphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, phenyl, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 3-hydroxyphenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-dimethylaminophenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl, 3-methoxyphenyl, 4-nitrophenyl, 5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl, 3,4-difluoromethylenedioxyphenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2-naphthyl, or 3-chlorophenyl.
 11. The composition according to claim 2, wherein R₄ is 4-pyridyl.
 12. The composition according to claim 2, wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl.
 13. The composition according to claim 2, wherein R₁ and R₂ are both methyl.
 14. The composition according to claim 2, wherein R₃ is hydrogen.
 15. The composition according to claim 2, wherein said compound is one of: 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-pyridyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3,4-difluoromethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-cyanophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(2-naphthyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; or 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3-chlorophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro4-H-1-benzopyran; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 16. A pharmaceutical composition for treating a disorder responsive to the positive modulation of AMPA receptors in an animal suffering thereof, comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent; and an amount effective to positively modulate AMPA receptors in said animal of a compound of Formula IV:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl, C₁₋₆ aminoalkyl, C₁₋₆ thioalkyl C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₄₋₇ cycloalkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₁₋₆)alkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₂₋₆)alkenyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₂₋₆)alkynyl, or C₄₋₇ cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆)alkyl; or R₁ and R₂ are taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached to form a C₃₋₇cycloalkyl or a 5 or 6 membered heterocycle having one or two of N, S, O or a combination thereof; R₃ is hydrogen, or C₁₋₆ alkyl; R₅-R₉ are independently hydrogen, halo, haloalkyl, aryl, fused aryl, a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, a heteroaryl group, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, carbocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, nitro, amino, cyano, acylamido, hydroxy, thiol, acyloxy, azido, alkoxy, carboxy, carbonylamido or alkylthiol; provided that either R₅ and R₆, or R₆ and R₇ are taken together to form —OCH₂O—, —OCF₂O—, —(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—, —OCH₂CH₂O—, —CH₂N(R)CH₂—, —CH₂N(R)CH₂CH₂—, —N(Me)—C(O)—O—, —CH═CH—CH═CH—, or —N═CH—CH═N—
 17. The composition according to claim 10, wherein R₆ and R₇ taken together are —OCH₂O—, —OCF₂O—, —(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—, —OCH₂CH₂O—, —CH₂N(R)CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂N(R)CH₂—, —CH₂N(R)CH₂CH₂—, —N(Me)—C(O)—O—, —CH═CH—CH═CH— or —N═CH—CH═N—.
 18. The composition according to claim 2, wherein R₁ and R₂ are both methyl.
 19. The composition according to claim 2, wherein R₃ is hydrogen.
 20. A method of treating a disorder responsive to the positive modulation of AMPA receptors in animals suffering thereof, comprising administering to an animal in need thereof a composition of claim
 1. 21. A method of treating, preventing or ameliorating schizophrenia, treating or ameliorating the adverse consequences of hypostimulation of the excitatory amino acids; enhancing cognition; treating or ameliorating malnutrition or neural maldevelopment; treating or ameliorating neurodegenerative diseases, or treating or ameliorating myoclonus; said method comprising: administering to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound having the Formula I:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, wherein: R₁ and R₂ are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, fused aryl, a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, a heteroaryl group, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, carbocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, aminoalkyl and thioalkyl; or R₁ and R₂ are taken together to form a carbocycle or heterocycle; R₃ is hydrogen, or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl; R₄ is substituted or unsubstituted aryl, heteroaryl, carbocycle or heterocycle; X is hydrogen, NO₂, CN, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, COR, CO₂R or CONR_(x)R_(y), wherein R, R_(x) and R_(y) are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, fused aryl, a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, a heteroaryl group, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, carbocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl or aminoalkyl; or R_(x) and R_(y) are taken together to form a heterocycle; Y is NH₂, NHR, or NHCOR; and Z is O or S.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein a neurodegenerative disease selected from the group consisting of AIDS associated dementia, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease and Down's syndrome is treated or ameliorated.
 23. The composition according to claim 21, wherein X is CN.
 24. The composition according to claim 21, wherein Z is O.
 25. The composition according to claim 21, wherein Y is NH₂.
 26. The composition according to claim 21, wherein X is CN, Y is NH₂, and Z is O.
 27. The composition according to claim 26, wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl, C₁₋₆ aminoalkyl, or C₁₋₆ thioalkyl.
 28. The composition according to claim 26, wherein R₄ is optionally substituted phenyl, naphthyl or pyridyl.
 29. The composition according to claim 28, wherein R₄ is optionally substituted phenyl.
 30. The composition according to claim 29, wherein R₄ is 4-methoxyphenyl, 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl, phenyl, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 3-hydroxyphenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-dimethylaminophenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl, 3-methoxyphenyl, 4-nitrophenyl, 5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl, 3,4-difluoromethylenedioxyphenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 2-naphthyl, or 3-chlorophenyl.
 31. The composition according to claim 28, wherein R₄ is 4-pyridyl.
 32. The composition according to claim 27, wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently hydrogen or C₁₋₁₀ alkyl.
 33. The composition according to claim 32, wherein R₁ and R₂ are both methyl.
 34. The composition according to claim 26, wherein R₃ is hydrogen.
 35. A method of treatment according to any one of claims 21-34, wherein said compound selected from the group consisting of: 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl4-phenyl-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl4-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl4-(4-methylphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro4H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl4-(4-pyridyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3,4-difluoromethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1 -benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-cyanophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(2-naphthyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; or 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3-chlorophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof.
 36. A compound having the Formula IV:

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, wherein: R₁ and R₂ are independently hydrogen, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ haloalkyl, C₁₋₆ hydroxyalkyl, C₁₋₆ aminoalkyl, C₁₋₆ thioalkyl C₆₋₁₀ aryl, C₄₋₇ cycloalkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₁₋₆)alkyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl(C₂₋₆)alkenyl, C₂₋₆)alkynyl, or C₄₋₇ cycloalkyl(C₁₋₆)alkyl; or R₁ and R₂ are taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached to form a C₃₋₇cycloalkyl or a 5 or 6 membered heterocycle having one or two of N, S, O or a combination thereof; R₃ is hydrogen, or C₁₋₆ alkyl; and R₅-R₉ are independently hydrogen, halo, haloalkyl, aryl, fused aryl, a carbocyclic group, a heterocyclic group, a heteroaryl group, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, arylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, heteroarylalkyl, heteroarylalkenyl, heteroarylalkynyl, carbocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, nitro, amino, cyano, acylamido, hydroxy, thiol, acyloxy, azido, alkoxy, carboxy, carbonylamido or alkylthiol; provided that R₅ and R₆ taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, or R₆ and R₇ taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a carbocycle or heterocycle.
 37. A compound according to claim 36, wherein R₅ and R₆ taken together are —OCH₂O—, —OCF₂O—, —(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—, —OCH₂CH₂O—, —CH₂N(R)CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂N(R)CH₂—, —CH₂N(R)CH₂CH₂—, —N(Me)—C(O)—O—, —CH═CH—CH═CH—, or —N═CH—CH═N—.
 38. A compound according to claim 36, wherein R₆ and R₇ taken together are —OCH₂O—, —OCF₂O—, —(CH₂)₃—, —(CH₂)₄—, —OCH₂CH₂O—, —CH₂N(R)CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂N(R)CH₂—, —CH₂N(R)CH₂CH₂—, —N(Me)—C(O)—O—, —CH═CH—CH═CH—, or —N═CH—CH═N—.
 39. A compound selected from the group consisting of: 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(2,4,6-timethylphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-dimeaminophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-pyridyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-5oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-1-benzopyran; and 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(3,4-difluoromethylenedioxyphenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; 2-amino-3-cyano-7,7-dimethyl-4-(4-cyanophenyl)-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4-H-1-benzopyran; and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof. 